Bosh making a difference in fourth quarter for Heat

MIAMI — Chris Bosh isn't quite ready to cast himself as the Miami Heat's closer. But, to a degree, that's what he's been the past two games.

Sunday, there were 13 points in the fourth quarter of the 100-85 victory over the Toronto Raptors, when the Heat pulled away at the finish. Monday, Bosh took a team-high six shots in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points in the period in the victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

For the All-Star center, it's all he's been asking for, the opportunity to make a difference at the finish.

"It's good to see him get more aggressive as the game went on," coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat turning their attention to Wednesday's home game against the Houston Rockets. "We need that from him. Hopefully this could be a good sign of things to come."

It is an opportunity Bosh has embraced, shooting 5 of 6 in Monday's fourth quarter.

"It's a lot better," Bosh said of getting such opportunities.

"It's all within the offense. I have to continue to be aggressive. I always look for a spot in the games to really put my effort in and just take open shots if they're there."

That has had him in rhythm with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

"They're unselfish. If I'm rolling to the basket, they'll hit me," he said. "It's just playing basketball, but more aggressive."

The difference in the approach has been tangible.

"Guys were doing a great job of feeding him on the run," Spoelstra said. "But, also, when he had his opportunities to put the ball on the floor, he was aggressive."

Board silly

Wade not only closed with a season-high 12 rebounds against the Bobcats, but also matched his career high with six offensive rebounds Monday.

To Spoelstra, it is the type of effort he needs from his wings to even the rebounding ledger.

"Our perimeters either have to do that, or more likely they're blocking out, sinking, doing some of the little things, trying to track down long rebounds," he said. "But we have to get everybody involved. That's how we're built. We're not built for one guy to snatch 15 to 18 rebounds a night."

That Wade closed as the game's only player with double-digit rebounds spoke volumes to Spoelstra.

"Dwyane probably had four or five over the top, even over their bigs, in traffic," he said. "Only a few two-guards can do that in this league. It also shows you a sign that he's getting healthier and better as the season's going on."

Battier dunks

Yes, that was a Shane Battier dunk in Monday's second quarter, his first since 2009-10 while with the Rockets.

"That one was for all the old guys," Battier, 34, said. "That one was for all the suburban dads out there, who have been told they are over the hill, and they are a step slow, not as good as they once were. I may release a DVD of that.

"It's like Halley's Comet, you may never see it again in your lifetime."

The dunk came in transition, off a fastbreak pass from Wade.

"If he had thrown the ball to me a second earlier, I would have had to dribble, and I would have dribbled it out," said Battier, known about as much for his ballhandling as his dunking. "But he led me perfectly. I got my steps down and I made history."

Longer haul

As it turns out, Jarvis Varnado not only was signed for the balance of the season last week at the expiration of his second 10-day contract, but also to a team option for next season.

"I've just got to keep working, stay positive and my time will come," the rookie shot-blocking center said.

By adding the extra season it guarantees Varnado can be with the team for both summer camp and summer league.

Unlike Dexter Pittman, who currently is with the Heat's NBA Development League team in Sioux Falls, S.D., Varnado said he has not been approached about a stint with the Skyforce.